I absolutely agree that Zack will be able to share this experience with his peers in Upward Bound. He should be encouraged by his educators and mentors through the program to do so, not be penalized for his achievements. As it was explained to us in a meeting, the policy is that any student choosing to miss any part of the first week would not be allowed to attend. The reason being that the student would miss out on important team building activities and miss class, compromising their ability to pass. While I understand if a student is choosing to go on vacation, that policy makes sense, but that is not the case. He is choosing to participate in a once in a lifetime educational opportunity. Perhaps the policy needs to be reviewed and amended to allow students the ability to explore such opportunities. Furthermore, he has been an active member of Upward Bound for 3 years, is well liked and already part of that team, as well as an honor roll student. I am confident that Zack will be able to maintain grades in any summer class he is enrolled in, as well as rejoin the team he is already a big part of, despite missing 2 days.
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Vicky Cruz
11 years ago
#teamzac
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Ben Buckner, Ph.D.
11 years ago
In real life, you have to allow for special circumstances, and this sounds like one of the better ones to allow for.
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Bill Davis
11 years ago
It sounds like there was precedence set where others were given a break. Why not continue this for Zack?
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Henry Baker "Ash"
11 years ago
Good luck.
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CDR Michael Steen, USN
11 years ago
Featured
As a long-time Castleton resident and alum of the schools there, I can attest that anything which broadens the horizons of students there is a positive thing. This student should not be penalized for his acheivements and should be allowed to participate. Further, he should be required to provide the other students in the Upward Bound program a debrief on what he learned from the conference, making this experience a learning event for both himself and others.
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Heather Musinski
11 years ago
If refusing to allow this student to attend summer events is based on a unevenly applied policy, then I certainly support this petition requesting this young man be allowed to attend Upward Bound programming.
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Willa B. Alvarez
11 years ago
Go Zachary!
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Jo-Ann Gademan
11 years ago
Zack should be allowed to attend
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Lisa Batchelor
11 years ago
Way to go Zach! Well deserved honor , and Upward Bound shouldn't punish you because of it.
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John Briggs
11 years ago
Bravo! Upward!
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Marcello Taravella
11 years ago
I am proud for Zach since he is doing such a great thing by doing this other activity, but I also believe he should be able to participate in Upward Bound no matter how many days he misses. I am also glad that Tommy is helping Zach get back into the program since he deserves to be and should NOT be dismissed for another summer activity.
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April Fox Dorion
11 years ago
Featured
As a parent and an educator, I'm appalled that Zack might be forced to forego his entire Outward Bound program this summer because of a two-day scheduling conflict with another prestigious program in which he's been invited to participate. Isn't Outward Bound supposed to support students' academic goals and endeavors? The director's decision here is doing the exact opposite.
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mrs waite
11 years ago
Featured
I am very sad that it had to come to this. 3days excussed for a farther gain in a great education benefit should be allowed!
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Pat Uzar
11 years ago
Zack is an astounding young man, very mature and focused. He should do well in this program.
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Joe Caraballo
11 years ago
Featured
Upward Bound has helped my older son, Alexander, in many different ways. Not sure why they're doing this to Zachary. It makes me sad to see that they're not applying their policies toward attendance evenly and that Zack has to pay for it. If they had contacted a parent, like myself or his mom, I would understand, but they did not. It's not like Zack is taking a vacation, he's attending a conference that falls within the stated goals of Upward Bound.
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The Moore Family
11 years ago
Upward Bound can be a terrific Program.
They made a Very Poor Decision.
Hopefully they will realize it and find a way to be more supportive of Zach's other opportunities.
Congratulations Zach and Well done Tommy !
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Kayla Purinton
11 years ago
He should be allowed to do both. If this is a program he wishes to attend to further his academic progress and set him up for a successful future then he should be able to participate in it as well as Upward Bound since he will only be missing two days for an important cause
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Isabelle Hardina
11 years ago
Featured
I completely agree with everything you have said Tommy. You are such a bright student and great friend for doing this. Good Luck to you and Zach in achieving your future goals.
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Tracy Harrington
11 years ago
Featured
I love the upward bound program, it has been very good for my son. However, this is not the first time that I have known a student that was ejected from the program for wanting to do additional extracurricular summer activities that fell a few days in the designated timeframe of Upward bound.
Zack should be allowed to attend this prestigious program.
I absolutely agree that Zack will be able to share this experience with his peers in Upward Bound. He should be encouraged by his educators and mentors through the program to do so, not be penalized for his achievements. As it was explained to us in a meeting, the policy is that any student choosing to miss any part of the first week would not be allowed to attend. The reason being that the student would miss out on important team building activities and miss class, compromising their ability to pass. While I understand if a student is choosing to go on vacation, that policy makes sense, but that is not the case. He is choosing to participate in a once in a lifetime educational opportunity. Perhaps the policy needs to be reviewed and amended to allow students the ability to explore such opportunities. Furthermore, he has been an active member of Upward Bound for 3 years, is well liked and already part of that team, as well as an honor roll student. I am confident that Zack will be able to maintain grades in any summer class he is enrolled in, as well as rejoin the team he is already a big part of, despite missing 2 days.
#teamzac
In real life, you have to allow for special circumstances, and this sounds like one of the better ones to allow for.
It sounds like there was precedence set where others were given a break. Why not continue this for Zack?
Good luck.
As a long-time Castleton resident and alum of the schools there, I can attest that anything which broadens the horizons of students there is a positive thing. This student should not be penalized for his acheivements and should be allowed to participate. Further, he should be required to provide the other students in the Upward Bound program a debrief on what he learned from the conference, making this experience a learning event for both himself and others.
If refusing to allow this student to attend summer events is based on a unevenly applied policy, then I certainly support this petition requesting this young man be allowed to attend Upward Bound programming.
Go Zachary!
Zack should be allowed to attend
Way to go Zach! Well deserved honor , and Upward Bound shouldn't punish you because of it.
Bravo! Upward!
I am proud for Zach since he is doing such a great thing by doing this other activity, but I also believe he should be able to participate in Upward Bound no matter how many days he misses. I am also glad that Tommy is helping Zach get back into the program since he deserves to be and should NOT be dismissed for another summer activity.
As a parent and an educator, I'm appalled that Zack might be forced to forego his entire Outward Bound program this summer because of a two-day scheduling conflict with another prestigious program in which he's been invited to participate. Isn't Outward Bound supposed to support students' academic goals and endeavors? The director's decision here is doing the exact opposite.
I am very sad that it had to come to this. 3days excussed for a farther gain in a great education benefit should be allowed!
Zack is an astounding young man, very mature and focused. He should do well in this program.
Upward Bound has helped my older son, Alexander, in many different ways. Not sure why they're doing this to Zachary. It makes me sad to see that they're not applying their policies toward attendance evenly and that Zack has to pay for it. If they had contacted a parent, like myself or his mom, I would understand, but they did not. It's not like Zack is taking a vacation, he's attending a conference that falls within the stated goals of Upward Bound.
Upward Bound can be a terrific Program. They made a Very Poor Decision. Hopefully they will realize it and find a way to be more supportive of Zach's other opportunities. Congratulations Zach and Well done Tommy !
He should be allowed to do both. If this is a program he wishes to attend to further his academic progress and set him up for a successful future then he should be able to participate in it as well as Upward Bound since he will only be missing two days for an important cause
I completely agree with everything you have said Tommy. You are such a bright student and great friend for doing this. Good Luck to you and Zach in achieving your future goals.
I love the upward bound program, it has been very good for my son. However, this is not the first time that I have known a student that was ejected from the program for wanting to do additional extracurricular summer activities that fell a few days in the designated timeframe of Upward bound. Zack should be allowed to attend this prestigious program.